High mileage zl1 recommendations

[Nz2ssrs]

Hi guys,

I’m looking at buying a 2013 auto zl1 that has 110,000 miles on the clock.

It has an aftermarket cam, headers, intake, under driven sc pulley and tune.

I’m interested to know how many miles these will do before starting to give
Troubles assuming the servicing has been kept up to date.

I’m also interested in what goes wrong and at roughly how many miles.

Currently have a low mileage ss that’s been great but looking for the next step.


I tried the search function but keep getting a blank screen.

Thanks.

[wscott62893]

If the car has a solid maintenance history and wasn't beat on too bad, I don't think you'll have much to worry about outside of the normal 100k mile used vehicle issues. For example: suspension bushings, alternator, power steering pump, wheel bearings, ignition coils, etc. I would go through and do the typical "used car" assessments. Aside from that, life is short, just enjoy the car and worry about fixing it later if/when it breaks!

[VRZL113]

Originally Posted by wscott62893

If the car has a solid maintenance history and wasn't beat on too bad, I don't think you'll have much to worry about outside of the normal 100k mile used vehicle issues. For example: suspension bushings, alternator, power steering pump, wheel bearings, ignition coils, etc. I would go through and do the typical "used car" assessments. Aside from that, life is short, just enjoy the car and worry about fixing it later if/when it breaks!

No power steering pump on the ZL1's.

They are all electronically assisted.

[wscott62893]

Originally Posted by VRZL113

No power steering pump on the ZL1's.

They are all electronically assisted.

Good to know! Thanks for the correction.

If that doesn't make it glaringly obvious that I am still in the market for a ZL1 and coming from the C5 Vette world, I don't know what does...

[FASTFATBOY]

My oil cooler lasted for 130,000 miles before it started leaking, I bought the kit from Improved Racing to delete it.

Shocks are probably leaking and it probably rides like a covered wagon.

I would check the brakes to see what's left. Replacing brakes is about $1100 in parts.

The rear end is going to groan when you turn, they all do it.

Make sure the heat exchanger pump is running, if not the pump is bad or it has air in the system. Without it the car is a turd.

At 100k miles plugs should have been changed. My plugs were terrible at 85K miles.

[VRZL113]

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY

My oil cooler lasted for 130,000 miles before it started leaking, I bought the kit from Improved Racing to delete it.

Shocks are probably leaking and it probably rides like a covered wagon.

I would check the brakes to see what's left. Replacing brakes is about $1100 in parts.

The rear end is going to groan when you turn, they all do it.

Make sure the heat exchanger pump is running, if not the pump is bad or it has air in the system. Without it the car is a turd.

At 100k miles plugs should have been changed. My plugs were terrible at 85K miles.

The rear end groan is usually solved with a differential fluid change.

At least that's what solved the groan when I had my 2013 ZL1 with 30k miles.

My 2014 only has 16k miles and has no groan what so ever.

[FASTFATBOY]

Originally Posted by VRZL113

The rear end groan is usually solved with a differential fluid change.

At least that's what solved the groan when I had my 2013 ZL1 with 30k miles.

My 2014 only has 16k miles and has no groan what so ever.

He has a high mileage car, you don't.

The groan comes back if you don't add friction modifier, this is widely known.

[VRZL113]

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY

He has a high mileage car, you don't.

The groan comes back if you don't add friction modifier, this is widely known.

I use the OEM fluid... no need for added friction modifier since it has it already.

What I was saying is the groan is solved by changing the fluid......

[FASTFATBOY]

Originally Posted by VRZL113

I use the OEM fluid... no need for added friction modifier since it has it already.

What I was saying is the groan is solved by changing the fluid......

This is a temporary fix, it comes back.

This is well and widely known.

[70T/A400]

There was a member that wrote in from time to time that had highest mileage I have seen.

His name was Vroom and he got his 2013 ZL1 to 210,000 miles. You will find him in this thread.

He went through an engine which GM warrantied due to the camshaft delaminating, a valve seat came loose due to his commute which he attributed to constant heating and cooling cycles so he changed the cylinder heads on his dime, and 3 or 4 superchargers. He never went through a clutch or any of the transmission or rear end differential. Multiple shock absorbers which back in 2013-2017 were affordable and available.

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=567442

[ZMEnow]

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY

This is a temporary fix, it comes back.

This is well and widely known.

Any posi rear end with clutch packs will either howl, groan or even chatter at slow speeds if the fluid is left in
for long periods, friction modifier or not, although the Z rear end fluid has the modifier. My F 150’s get to about 80k or 8 years for me before they start the howl and chatter.

My Z never had the turning howl, but then I always changed my fluid about every 5k.

[Nz2ssrs]

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY

My oil cooler lasted for 130,000 miles before it started leaking, I bought the kit from Improved Racing to delete it.

Shocks are probably leaking and it probably rides like a covered wagon.

I would check the brakes to see what's left. Replacing brakes is about $1100 in parts.

The rear end is going to groan when you turn, they all do it.

Make sure the heat exchanger pump is running, if not the pump is bad or it has air in the system. Without it the car is a turd.

At 100k miles plugs should have been changed. My plugs were terrible at 85K miles.

It has new mag ride shocks, new slotted discs and pads has had the rear differential rebuilt and all fluids changed.

What I’m trying to decide between is a stock one with 14000 miles for $10k more or a 110000 mile one with cam, blower pulley, headers and tune for $10k less.

What causes the rear groan ?

[FASTFATBOY]

Originally Posted by ZMEnow

Any posi rear end with clutch packs will either howl, groan or even chatter at slow speeds if the fluid is left in
for long periods, friction modifier or not, although the Z rear end fluid has the modifier. My F 150’s get to about 80k or 8 years for me before they start the howl and chatter.

My Z never had the turning howl, but then I always changed my fluid about every 5k.

Not true, I'm 60 years old and have many cars with a limited slip or "posi" rear end, never heard one make a peep if everything was setup correctly.

This ZL1 is the only car I've heard make noise on turning, except for the Detroit Locker I had. It sounded like a jackhammer every time you turned.

[FASTFATBOY]

Originally Posted by Nz2ssrs

It has new mag ride shocks, new slotted discs and pads has had the rear differential rebuilt and all fluids changed.

What I’m trying to decide between is a stock one with 14000 miles for $10k more or a 110000 mile one with cam, blower pulley, headers and tune for $10k less.

What causes the rear groan ?

The groan is caused by the type of posi unit and how it was setup initially, it has a "helical gear" posi in it. It's a Detroit Tru Trac from what I can find on it.

I put a Tru Trac in my 99 Z29 track day car and it was quiet as a mouse, never heard a peep out of it.


You and I are in the same boat in a way, I have a 2013 Zl1 that is paid for with 130,000 miles and it's a very nice car that makes 600 wheel. New clutch, brakes, transmission and it's inferno orange.

I just bought a 2015 1LE with 8000 miles, has a Magnuson Heartbeat blower, wheels etc makes 550 wheel.

I can't decide which one to keep, driving me nuts. I would have to come out of pocket about 7K if I kept the 1LE which is basically a brand new car.

You tell me which one lol...